MACKINAC REPUBLICAN LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE
  • Home
  • REGISTER
  • SCHEDULE
  • SPEAKERS
  • FAQS
  • Extras
  • Donate

Chairwoman Kristina Karamo

Having professional experience in a variety of industries, prepared Kristina Karamo for the dynamic arena of politics. Transitioning from being a college professor, to becoming the Republican nominee for Michigan Secretary of State, and now chair of the Michigan Republican Party. While serving as a college instructor, Kristina earned an M.A. in Christian Apologetics from Biola University. Kristina is determined to assist in efforts to turn America’s trajectory of ruin to restoration, so our children and 
Picture
grandchildren can inherit usable God-given inalienable rights.

Kristina hopes to inspire more everyday citizens to stand up and fight back. Our country is being ran by a hybrid of a professional political class, and criminals destroying our children’s future. She is a lifelong Michigan resident, hailing from Oakland County. Her interest in politics began when she was 6 years old. An intense interest in history and learning about current events with her mother, made Kristina deeply interested in politics.

As with many things in life, Kristina has one set of plans and God has another. Getting involved in politics at this level is   a necessity, to save the country. ​
Picture

Jim Caviezel

Drawn to acting, Jim struggled, landing only minor roles for his first eight years. However, in 1998, he gained critical recognition for his performance in The Thin Red Line, which marked a career turning point. In the following years, he would go on to receive critical raves for his roles in Ride with the Devil, Frequency, and Angel Eyes.

Controversy followed in 2002 when Jim cited his religious beliefs and refused to participate in romantic scenes with co-star Ashley Judd in the film High Crimes, but that backlash was short-lived after Mel Gibson chose him to play the role of Jesus Christ in the movie The Passion of the Christ
.
In what will forever remain his most powerful performance, The Passion of the Christ garnered significant media attention and broke several box office records, ultimately becoming one of the highest-grossing films of all time.

In 2011, Jim landed the leading role in the crime drama 
Person of Interest. The show became an instant success and one of the highest-rated television shows.

Now Jim is starring as government agent Tim Ballard in the movie 
The Sound of Freedom. Based on a real-life mission that rescued hundreds of kids from sex traffickers in Columbia, the project was rejected by every studio in Hollywood, only to become one of the most successful movies of the year.

Not only is Jim a distinguished actor, but he's an inspiring messenger as well. From his early tales of rejection in Hollywood to his blacklisting after The Passion of the Christ, he continues to walk in faith through his current project — The SOUND OF FREEDOM -- which shines a light on one of the most criminal 

horrors of our time.
Picture

vivEk ramaswamy

Vivek is an American business leader and New York Times bestselling author of Woke, Inc.: Inside Corporate America’s Social Justice Scam, along with his second book, Nation of Victims: Identity Politics, the Death of Merit, and the Path Back to Excellence, and Capitalist Punishment: How Wall Street is Using Your Money to Create a Country You Didn’t Vote For.

Left-leaning media has called him one of the “intellectual godfathers of the anti-woke movement” (Politico) and the “right’s leading anti-ESG crusader” (Axios and Bloomberg). He was dubbed “The C.E.O. of Anti-Woke” by The New Yorker. These movements are now popularized in mainstream conservative thought.
​
Born and raised in Cincinnati, Ohio, he often recounts the sage advice from his father: “If you’re going to stand out, then you might as well be outstanding.” This set the course for his life: a nationally ranked tennis player and the valedictorian of his high school, St. Xavier. He went on to graduate summa cum laude in Biology from Harvard and received his J.D. from Yale Law School while working at a hedge fund. He then started a biotech company, Roivant Sciences, where he oversaw the development of five drugs that went on to become FDA-approved.

In 2022, he founded Strive, an Ohio-based asset management firm that directly competes with asset managers like BlackRock, State Street, Vanguard, and others, who use the money of everyday citizens to advance environmental and social agendas that many citizens and capital owners disagree with.

Vivek is married to Apoorva, a throat surgeon and Assistant Professor at the Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center. They live in Columbus, Ohio, where they are raising their two sons.

Kari Lake

The daughter of a teacher and a nurse, Kari grew up in Iowa alongside eight siblings and learned the value of a hard day's work. Enthralled by people's stories, 
Kari embarked on a prosperous 27-year media career before finding her voice in speaking truth to power and eventually distancing herself from the mainstream media she once embraced.

In 2022, Kari ran for Governor of Arizona with the endorsement of President Donald J. Trump on a platform 
Picture
of putting Arizona First. A tireless fighter, Kari believes in what all do: secure borders, energy independence, safe streets, education not indoctrination, and pushing back against the radical Biden agenda.

Kari Lake is a voice for the silent majority and fights back against the relentless assault on our freedoms by the   radical   left. She is a true original.
Picture

LOREN SPIVACK

Loren is a popular keynote speaker at Republican and conservative events all over the United States. He has presented his famous seminar on “Economic Literacy” to over 200 groups in 20 states.  

Always with a fresh take, Loren examines the issues of our time through the eyes of an economist. And reveals fundamental truths underlying the political challenges we face. He speaks on a wide variety of topics both ​
narrowly focused (e.g. "The Path not Taken: Fixing American Healthcare with Capitalism.") and very broad (e.g. Why We Fight. Understanding The Modern Left").
​
Loren writes unique, humorous parodies that teach conservative principles and offer conservative critiques, including:

•The New Democrat, a parody of the Obama Administration.
•The Gorax, an anti-environmentalist parody.
•The Wizard of Iz, a parody of the Clintons and the Democrats in general.
•To Think That I Saw It on CNN Live. A parody of the media in the Trump era.
•Motley Clique, a parody of 'critical race theory' and identity politics.
•Kamalat, a parody of the Biden Administration.
   Loren's seventh book, a parody of public education, will be out in early 2024.

Before becoming active in politics, Spivack worked for several non-profits and as a management consultant for both profit and non-profit companies. He founded “Free Market Warrior” (Fmwarrior.com) in 2009 in an effort to make a positive difference in American politics and economics. His “Free Market Warrior” store was expelled from Concord Mills Mall in North Carolina in July of 2009 for selling material critical of the Obama Administration.  (Mall owners, Simon Property Group, are major Democratic donors.) Today Loren resides in Massachusetts with his wife and 6 children. ​​​

Zuby

As a musician, author, podcaster, public speaker, fitness expert and life coach Zuby doesn’t shy away from expressing himself, with a refreshing level of honesty.
​
Zuby was born in England and raised in Saudi Arabia, where he attended an international school. While studying Computer Science at Oxford University, he started rapping and within months self-released his first album
​
Commercial Underground. His first single and music video 
Picture
Steppin' 2 Me gained local popularity, receiving radio spins and national TV airplay. Since then, he has created his own successful merchandise line, reached #12 on the iTunes Hip Hop Chart and self-released 6 albums and 3 EPs on his label C.O.M. Entertainment, which have sold tens of thousands of copies independently.
 
A rapper with a difference, Zuby is known for his clean, positive and inspirational lyrics, as well as his masterful flow and energetic live performances. He has performed over 100 gigs in 10 different countries, including the UK, USA, Saudi Arabia, Nigeria, Germany, The Netherlands, and Czech Republic. Beyond his own headline tours, he has opened for several popular artists such as Tech N9ne, Akala and The Pharcyde.
 
Zuby’s fan base and achievements continue to grow rapidly. He is now the highest funded UK based rapper on Kickstarter, his podcast Real Talk with Zuby reaches thousands of listeners every week, and his first book Strong Advice:   Zuby’s Guide to Fitness for Everybody has sold over 10,000 copies independently.
Picture

Dr. Alan Keyes

Dr. Alan Keyes is a highly respected statesman who is held in high regard by many   political figures. He has demonstrated a love for our country and a desire to see it return to its original intent with an emphasis on our Christian roots and a strong understanding of Liberty. President Ronald Reagan described Dr. Keyes by saying 
“I’ve never known a more stout-hearted defender of a strong America than Alan Keyes.”. This statement is a reflection of his work in the US State Department Foreign Service, as Ambassador to the UN Economic and Social Council, and as Assistant Secretary of State for International Organization Affairs.
 
Dr. Keyes graduated from Harvard with a doctoral degree in government studies in 1979. A year before graduating he joined the US State Department as a foreign service officer. He went on to serve in various positions in the United Nations and became an Ambassador to the UN Economic and Social Council; holding posts in Mumbai, India, and Zimbabwe. His love for his country, desire to see its foundings preserved and values restored, led him to run for the Republican candidacy for president in 1996, 2000, and 2004.
 
Dr. Keyes knowledge and perspective are needed all the more today as we are constantly seeing an increase in the dismantling of our very foundation. There is a deliberate effort to erase the intent and origins of our country and change our very way of life. It is time we turn our attention to those, like Dr. Keyes, who can lead us back to where we are intended to be.
 
Dr. Keyes knowledge and perspective are needed all the more today as we are constantly seeing an increase in the dismantling of our very foundation.
Picture

The Honorable  Mark T. Boonstra

The Honorable Mark T. Boonstra has served since 2012 as a judge of the Michigan Court of Appeals. From 2015-2017, he concurrently served as a judge of the Michigan Court of Claims, where the matters over which he presided included cases arising out of the Flint Water Crisis. He is blessed to have at his side Martha Mary (Rabaut) Boonstra, who has been both a nurse and the general counsel of a large health system, and whose grandfather, Congressman Louis C. Rabaut, authored the "Under God" amendment to 
the Pledge of Allegiance. Judge Boonstra’s 3- volume work, “In Their Own Words: Today’s God-less America . . . What Would Our Founding Fathers Think?” details the religious lives and beliefs of all 118 signers of America’s 3 founding documents—the Declaration of Independence, the Articles of Confederation, and the United States Constitution—both biographically and “In Their Own Words,” and contrasts it with examples from modern-day America. Our country having strayed far from what our Founding Fathers intended it to be, Judge Boonstra posits that the fundamental, underlying reason is that we have lost God, and he provides information enabling the reader to answer for themselves — what would the Founders think of where we are today in America? ​

Karla Wagner

​Kent County resident, Karla Wagner is a licensed residential contractor, licensed real estate agent, land developer, and small business owner. Karla is a former volunteer sheriff's deputy and concerned citizen here to talk about the new Axe Mi Tax initiative to eliminate all property taxes in the state of Michigan. You can learn more about this initiative at AxeMiTax.org.
Picture
Picture

Hal Shurtleff

Hal Shurtleff  is a husband and father of five and grandfather of two. He and his wife Maura homeschooled their children. Hal was born and raised in Boston where he remained until 2020. Today, Hal and his wife reside in Alton, NH. As a U.S. Army veteran, Hal completed a tour of duty in West Germany with the 
101st Airborne Division. He’s a member of the Sons of the American Revolution and the co-founder and director of Camp Constitution, a New Hampshire charitable trust. He is the host of Camp Constitution Radio. He also writes for The Boston Broadside and Weirs Times. Hal and Camp Constitution won a victory for free speech and religious rights with the U.S Supreme Court's 9--0 ruling "Shurtleff v Boston” in May of 2022.

Dr. Chuck Thurston

Dr. Chuck Thurston and Therese, his lovely wife for 49 years, were the hosts for many years of WRFD Radio’s “Evidences - Think Radio” a live call-in Christian          apologetics talk show on Salem Radio. Dr. Thurston is an instrument rated and multi-engine pilot and has made numerous medical mission trips to most of the places and terrible conditions (featured in the recent motion picture 
Picture
“The Sound of Freedom”) like Haiti, Honduras, Belize, Guatemala, and Mexico serving with Y.W.A.M., Mercy Ships, Sharing Ministries, World Harvest for Christ, Operation Blessing, Heart to Honduras, and the Baptist River Ministry along the Rio Grande over the years.

This doctor is also an accomplished blacksmith, cabinet-maker, and Eighteenth Century gunsmith. He has used these skills and his forge and shop to make models of the Wilderness Tabernacle of Moses. Other books by the author include, “In His Image” and a medical text, “Cancer Terminology For Medical Students”. 
​

A board-certified emergency physician, Dr. Thurston has served in over 100 hospitals in a dozen States and nearly as many foreign countries for five decades. Dr. Thurston is the President and founder of Evidences Biblical Institute, that seeks to find answers in both the Word of God and the works of God to the hard questions about mankind’s origins, purpose, and our destiny.
Picture

Alex Newman

Alex Newman is an award-winning international journalist, educator, author, speaker, investor, and consultant who seeks to glorify God in everything he does.

In addition to serving as president of Liberty Sentinel Media, Inc, he has written for a wide array of publications in the United States and abroad. He currently serves as a contributor to the Epoch Times, a correspondent for the Law Enforcement Intelligence Brief, foreign correspondent and senior editor for The New American 
magazine,  a writer for WND (World Net Daily), an education writer for FreedomProject Media, a columnist for the Illinois Family Institute, and much more.
​
He has also written for numerous newspapers and magazines. He has appeared on Fox, CNN, Newsmax, OAN, NTD, Real America’s Voice, and many other networks. Over his career as a journalist, Alex has interviewed current and former heads of state, members of Congress, royalty, and countless other fascinating people. 


Alex has authored and co-authored many books including, Crimes of the Educators with Dr. Samuel Blumenfeld, and An Exposé on Obama with Cliff Kincaid, Trevor Loudon, Joel Gilbert, and others.

In 2019, Alex and a coalition of amazing high-profile Christian leaders formed “Public School Exit,” the nation’s premier ministry working to rescue American children from the horrors of government “education.” The organization exists to facilitate a massive exodus from public schools by raising awareness and knocking down barriers for parents, pastors, and children.

For over a decade, Alex taught advanced economics to some of America’s brightest high-school seniors through FreedomProject Academy, an accredited K-12 Christian school offering a classical education to future leaders worldwide where he now serves on the board. Alex also has an education blog called 
The Newman Report for Freedom Media, an affiliate of the school.

Tamara Scott

Elected in 2012, Tamara Scott serves as Republican National Committeewoman for Iowa and is honored to serve as Chair of the RNC Faith Advisory Board and the     Midwest Regional Representative to the Resolutions Committee. Tamara is also State Director for the Phyllis Schlafly Eagle’s Constitution Center, State Director for Concerned Women for America, Legislative Director for Iowa Faith and Freedom Coalition, and host of Truth For Our Time talk show.   
Picture
A multi-media journalist for over 2 decades and a featured speaker, Tamara speaks at commencements, national conferences, rallies, political forums, and debates at the U.S. Capitol, State Houses, college campuses, arenas, and church auditoriums across America. Meeting often with delegations of global and national leaders, she focuses on exchanging ideas to further understanding, peace, and cultivating compassion for people while respecting the sovereignty of nations. Tamara has been blessed to join several state governors in arenas across the nation leading thousands in prayer for our country. She was honored to open President Trump’s 2017 Cedar Rapids, IA Rally in prayer.   
 
Tamara has served as a member to the 2016 RNC National Platform Committee, sitting on the National Security Subcommittee; 2015 Iowa - Israel Ambassador CUFI Action Fund; 2012 State Co-Chair Bachmann for President; 2008 RNC National Delegate to the RNC Convention; 2006 State Senate Recruitment Director; 2004 State Co-Chair Bush/Cheney Faith Coalition; 2002 GOTV 72-Hour State Director. She has served on numerous committees and boards including former president of the Warren County Economic Development Education Foundation and past chair of the Iowa Prayer Breakfast. In 2009 and 2011, she was appointed to the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights State Advisory Committee. In 2007, she was listed as one of the Nation’s Top Ten King Makers by Religion News Service.  

Tamara resides in the Des Moines area with her husband, Lowell, and considers 
raising God-honoring children of integrity and enjoying time with their families 
to be her most important role.
Picture

Justin Barclay

Justin’s parents will tell you he was born with a microphone in his hand. So, it’s no wonder his radio career started even before he was out of high school. 
 
He’s been heard in major markets all across the country, including Philadelphia, Detroit, Tampa, Cincinnati, & Louisville, but fondly calls West Michigan (Grand Rapids) home. Justin’s a frequent guest host for the nationally syndicated Glenn Beck program heard on over 300 radio stations coast to coast. 
Today, he engages guests and listeners in lively conversations about national and local topics while talking about what matters most in West Michigan. Justin has won multiple ‘Awards for Broadcast Excellence’ from The Michigan Association of Broadcasters and is honored to continue serving the community on and off of the legendary airwaves of WOOD Radio. Tune in weekdays at 9am to 106.9FM or 1300AM for Justin’s one-hour podcast called, West Michigan Live with Justin Barclay. And if you live in the Detroit area, be sure to check out Justin’s new show Justin Mornings Detroit's News Talk weekdays from 6-9am on 910AM Superstation. The daytime coverage for 910AM Superstation includes the metro Detroit area and extends to the northern lower peninsula of Michigan, south to northern Ohio and Indiana, west into the Grand Rapids area, and east into Ontario, Canada.

Leah Southwell

Through a military coup in Chile in 1973, a Socialist/Communist president was   removed and Marxism was successfully suppressed. Free market economics were  introduced and Chile became the world’s “Economic Miracle” and considered the best in Latin America. Then last October society suddenly erupted in violent protest, burning, looting and fighting with the police and even triggering a state of emergency, bringing out the military to the streets of Santiago, and lasting months. We recently saw something similar happening 
Picture
here. What are the commonalities? Although the spark was different the underlying causes are the same. What is happening in the world today and why?

Leah Southwell was an eyewitness to this event and the seven years leading up to this. As an American having lived in Holland for 10 years and now 7 years in Chile she has some interesting cultural observations as possible reasons and explanations. As a John Birch Society staff member, she has a deep understanding of the enemy we are facing and the solutions.
Picture

 Representative Neil Friske

Neil Friske, born in Petoskey and raised near Charlevoix on the family farm, Friske Orchards, is a respected life-long resident of Northern Michigan. He graduated from Ellsworth High School and spent two-thirds of his life working on and running the family farm. For over a decade, Neil and his brother, Richard Jr., were second-generation partners in the family operation.

Currently, Neil owns and operates Friske & Sons Property Management in Charlevoix. When he’s not hard at work, he spends as much time as possible with family. He has 
four grown sons and is a delighted Opa of three beautiful grandchildren.

Friske heartily enjoys serving and being a part of his community. Friske has made church and faith a priority in his and his family’s lives: he served on a church board and led music in church. To this day, Neil constantly and willingly gives his insight, time, and energy to his community, his church, and his fellow farmers and local business owners.

In tune with his values and stances on state and federal policies, Friske is a life-long member of the National Rifle Association (NRA), a life-long member of Michigan United Conservation Clubs (MUCC), a member of Right to Life, and a member of Farm Bureau. Always, Neil will go out of his way to preserve the Second Amendment, fight for and defend the lives of the unborn, protect and educate on conserving and valuing our natural resources, and support the often unheard needs and concerns of farmers and small businesses. Neil Friske wants to help take back our lost freedoms, to defend liberties that are being torn down, and to preserve our rightful and valued heritages. ​

Pastor Ralph Rebandt

Former 2022 Michigan governor candidate, Ralph Rebandt was known for highlighting America’s Christian heritage and bringing that discussion back into the   public conversation. Ralph served as lead pastor for Oakland Hills Community Church for   35 years, presently serves on the Board of Governors for the Council for National Policy, Washington D.C., and as chaplain for the Michigan Association of Chiefs of Police as well as several others.
Picture
Ralph is passionate about serving his Savior, about America and her true history, about his beautiful state of Michigan, and adores his lovely wife Carol, their four grown children and spouses, and 17 grandchildren. Recently, he foundedMichigan Lighthouse Ministries which partners with pastors, to educate, encourage, and mobilize their congregations to stand up, speak up, and show up. Our Founders understood this and were involved in promoting the Christian faith in all three of God’s ordained institutions. 

​
Invite him to your church to speak on these seminar topics:
God’s Three Ordained Institutions – This presentation will share God’s ordained three institutions, and their role in society, their purpose and their limits.
“In God We Trust” – Our National Motto has been under attack, but has with stood attacks historically, and legally. You will be amazed to see Judeo-Christian values on display since 1776.
“The Wall of Misconception” – The Johnson Amendment and churches’ 501c3 status have silenced the church for almost 70 years. Two generations of Pastors, Christians, and Americans have bought into the lie. This presentation will deliver the truth about our 1st Amendment Rights.
The Deception of Neutrality – People often say, “I don’t want to get involved,” “Why vote? My vote won’t make a difference anyway,” “I am sitting this one out,” “The government isn’t asking me to do anything against God.” Come and discover why there is no such thing as neutrality.  Learn more at www.MichiganLighthouseMinistries.com.
Picture

John wesT

John G. West is Vice President and a Senior Fellow at the Seattle-based Discovery Institute, where he also serves as Managing Director of the Institute’s Center for Science & Culture. His current research examines the impact of science and “scientism” on public policy and culture. West was previously an Associate Professor of Political Science at Seattle Pacific University, where he chaired the Department of Political Science and Geography. He holds a Ph.D. in Government from Claremont Graduate University.

West has written or edited twelve books, including Darwin Day in America: How Our Politics and Culture Have Been Dehumanized in the Name of Science; The Magician's 
Twin: C.S. Lewis on Science, Scientism, and Society; Darwin’s Conservatives: The Misguided Quest; Walt Disney and Live Action: The Disney Studio’s Live-Action Features of the 1950 and 60s; and Celebrating Middle Earth: The Lord of the Rings as a Defense of Western Civilization. 

Additionally, Dr. West has directed and written several documentaries, including the award-winning Human Zoos, The War on Humans, and The Magician’s Twin: C.S. Lewis and the Case Against Scientism. He also helped produce the popular YouTube series Science Uprising. 

He has been interviewed by TIME, Newsweek, USA Today, The Washington Post, and The New York Times, and he has appeared on CNN, Fox News, and C-SPAN.

RepResentative Jack Bergman

Growing up in the Midwest, Jack Bergman’s parents instilled in him the values that drive the American Dream: If you work hard, never quit, and strive for excellence, you will find success. Those values are what guided him to the rank of Lt. General in the United States Marine Corps, empowered him to successfully own and operate a small business, and allowed him to enjoy a 22-year career as a commercial airline pilot.

Jack proudly represents the First District of Michigan. The boundaries contain the entire Upper Peninsula and all of the northern Lower Peninsula. Altogether, the district makes up about 44% of the land mass of the state of Michigan. The Bergman family's roots in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula stretch back to the late 1800s when his ancestors worked as iron miners. Serving his country in uniform for 40 years, Jack has spent time all around the United States – and the world. Nearly three decades ago, Jack and his wife Cindy settled in Watersmeet, on the 
Picture
western edge of Michigan’s beautiful Upper Peninsula.
​
Jack is a grandfather to ten grandchildren. This has always been one of the largest factors in his service in Congress. When Jack sees what is happening in Washington, he knows that we are not doing our best at leaving our children and grandchildren a better place. From his business to his distinguished military career and now in Congress - Jack Bergman does not accept the status quo as an acceptable path forward. Jack is driven by his commitment to serving others. While in the military, he launched two successful startup businesses in the medical equipment field, maintaining an obligation to both his nation and his customers simultaneously. As an entrepreneurial leader focused on mission accomplishment and customer satisfaction, Jack knows how to get things done.


Hard work and commitment made the United States the most exceptional nation in the world. Those are the principles that have guided Jack’s life and are the principles that he is bringing to Washington. He believes what most Michiganders believe: Americans know how to live their lives better than politicians or bureaucrats do. Jack’s life has been dedicated to service and defending the Constitution. He is the highest-ranking combat Veteran to have ever served in the U.S. House. He is shaking up the status quo in both Congress and will continue defending the United States from those who want to weaken it, both domestically and abroad.
Picture

Congressman John Moolenaar

Congressman John Moolenaar represents the hardworking residents of Michigan’s Second Congressional District. As Michigan’s senior member of the House Committee on Appropriations, Moolenaar is dedicated to holding the federal government accountable to taxpayers. He strongly believes in fiscal responsibility and has been fighting to make the economy work for Michigan families and seniors. As a member of the committee, he serves on the Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies and the ​
Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies.

Moolenaar brings years of leadership experience in the private and public sectors to Congress. He began his career as a chemist, after graduating from Hope College with a bachelor’s degree in chemistry. Moolenaar then worked in business development, and as a school administrator. Moolenaar has a master’s degree in public administration from Harvard University. From 2003-2008, he served in the Michigan House of Representatives, and in the Michigan State Senate from 2011-2015.

Congressman Moolenaar and his wife, Amy, raised their family in Michigan and are blessed with six children and two grandchildren.

US Senate Candidate michael hoover

First-time candidate for Senate, Michael Hoover is a fifth generation born and raised Michigander who has strived to live the life that his proud, hard-working parents fought to give him. Michael and his wife, Angela, have protected the inherited values of family, dedication, and perseverance, and passed them on to their four children.

With a successful career at Dow Chemical Company and a string of thriving small businesses under his belt, Michael has contributed greatly to the health and prosperity of Michigan. He hired, trained, and developed hundreds of Michigan workers, with the goal of helping them to be ​
Picture
their best. He’s introduced innovative solutions such as the use of recycled plastics in the automotive industry, turned blighted houses into homes, and preserved a family-owned recycling center for his community. Michael’s commitment to giving back is evident through his support of global, national, and local non-profits, including Mully Children’s Family, Berston Field House, City Rescue of Michigan, and the Pass It On Community Center.
Picture

MR. CONSTITUTION - DOUGLAS V. GIBBS

Douglas V. Gibbs, “Mr. Constitution”: Radio Host, Author, Public Speaker, and Instructor. President of the Constitution Association, fellow of the American Freedom Alliance, a Sentinel for the Heritage Foundation, and has appeared on television and radio outlets. Doug is an award-winning blogger and freelance newspaper columnist whose articles appear in both print, and online. Doug is a family man, married to his high school sweetheart. He is the father of two and has seven grandchildren. Doug is a proud United States Navy veteran.

REV. CHRISTOPHER I. THOMA

​Reverend Christopher I. Thoma serves as Senior Pastor of Our Savior Evangelical Lutheran Church & School in Hartland, Michigan, and Executive Director of “The Body of Christ and the Public Square” conference. He is an author and editorialist who regularly engages in Church and State issues with executive, legislative, and judicial leaders at the local, state, and federal levels.
Picture
Thoma is a guest on local and national radio shows and podcasts, commenting on current cultural and theological issues. He is invited to speak at various symposia and conferences, often sharing the stage with prominent newsmakers such as Ben Shapiro, Dennis Prager, Matt Walsh, Candace Owens, and others.

As a writer, his four-volume collection entitled The Cruciform Way enjoys notable endorsements from Riley Gaines, Charlie Kirk, Dr. Alveda King, Sheriff David Clarke, Lt. General Gerry Boykin, Frank Pavone, and others. Exemplifying his abilities as a humorist, Thoma’s four-volume whisky collection entitled The Angels’ Portion: A Clergyman’s Whisky Narrative has garnered international attention in the field of distilled spirits, enjoying forewords and endorsements from the likes of Dinesh D’Souza, Stephen Beam, Don Sutcliffe, Mark Gillespie, and others. Thoma has also authored two children’s books--Tea with the Moon and There’s a Bug on the Floor.
​

Reverend Thoma was awarded a Distinguished Fellowship from Salt & Light Global Wilberforce Academy, an extension of the Great Lakes Justice Center, and appointed as the religious liberty liaison for the English District of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod.
Picture

US Senate candidate JD Wilson

A true son of Michigan, Jeff (J.D.) Wilson was born in Southfield and raised in Lansing, Michigan. He graduated from Lansing Eastern high school in 1984. Afterwards, J.D. attended Michigan State University where his abilities to identify the future utilization of technology grew beyond traditional educational methods.
In April of 1994, J.D. launched his IT career for Compuware Corporation, assigned to State of Michigan PROJECT MAIN where he participated in the modernization of Michigan’s statewide accounting and procurement systems. Later, in 1995, J.D. was called on to install Maryland’s statewide 
accounting and procurement systems. Both of those projects are responsible for streamlining the government and saving millions in taxpayer dollars.

In January 2004, J.D. founded Jeff Wilson Consulting, LLC, which over the years has served clients including KPMG, Peat Marwick and Associates; Bearing Point; and Deloitte. J.D.’s highly technical knowledge and experience in government reform gives him an advantage in knowing how and where government waste can be identified and rooted out while also using the latest technological advancements to clean up and modernize government to run efficiently. One of his most recent accomplishments includes the modernizing of Maryland’s statewide purchasing and accounting systems.
With a loud and proud personality, J.D. Wilson has successfully taught and presented in large auditorium crowds over the course of his career, participating in both live and virtual events.
​

J.D. Wilson is a devoted family man who has successfully raised four wonderful boys into now young men with his loving wife Lynda. Politically, J.D. stands for strong constitutional conservative values with an additional background in technology and finance to fight back against leftist corporate and social media as well as the economic and security challenges posed by China and illegal immigration. J.D. Wilson is charged with a motivation to bring about positive change for his children and community. He draws similar motivations as his father did as a local attorney; to do the right thing for the people around him while creating a better nation for future generations.
Home
Register
Schedmackinac-conference.weebly.com/schedule.htmlule
Speakers
FAQs
Extras
​Donate
Paid for by the Michigan Republican Party.
​Copyright © 2023 The Michigan Republican Party. All Rights Reserved.
  • Home
  • REGISTER
  • SCHEDULE
  • SPEAKERS
  • FAQS
  • Extras
  • Donate